Ranplan Wireless to develop data analytics platform to predict city congestion

”Advanced data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and ultra-fast and reliable 5G networks are the building blocks for tomorrow’s smart cities,” said Alastair Williamson, CEO Ranplan Group AB. ”As urbanisation is set to intensify, causing issues in congestion and commuting delays, we need to better understand how citizens interact within their communities to improve public services, particularly during peak times.”

This research project will be led by Ranplan and will see collaboration with the University of Sheffield, Jinan University, and East China University of Science & Technology, along with leading telecoms operator, China Unicom. The aim of the project is to develop machine learning models and techniques to create a data analytics platform that will provide town planners and managers will real-time intelligence on how their citizens move around their cities. By being able to identify patterns of movement, vehicle movement and peak traffic times, planners will be able to predict where and when traffic congestion will arise and make decisions on how to improve the efficiency of public transportation. For example, data collected can be used can be used to faciliate smart mobility in urban areas such as traffic light control and scheduling, public transportation, preventative policing, as well as many other examples.